Love Me Till The End

Mr. Tyler Hudson

After having his tea, dada retreated to his room. Tulip too went to her room and got ready to go out after taking a shower. She wore her black, a black sports bra and over it she wore a simple grey jacket. Tulip pulled her blond hair into a messy bun, tied her shoes and went down to the garage where her electric bicycle was standing proudly. She earlier planned to take her bike but after checking the route she wanted to take today she came to know that motorcycle were not allowed there. So now she was going to take her electric bike.

The first thing that came in front of her eyes as she entered the garage was her sports bike. The one that helped her won many bets in the past, back in Canada.

“Oh, my love, it’s been so long, isn’t it? But sorry I can't take you today,” She said to her BMW F 900 R, that was looking breathtaking in the combination of fiery red, grey and black.

She wanted to take it but bikes weren't allowed in 17 miles drive so she moved to the end of the garage where her electric bicycle was standing next to normal bicycle.

She smiled and placed her helmet on her head. Tulip wasn't a fan of E-biking, she liked her bikes more. She liked how no one could guess she was a girl when she rode a bike, her face covered by the helmet. The only thing that gave her away was her height: she was not any taller than 5’1. But today she had no energy to ride a normal bicycle so she choosed her Orange Sunshine Ancheer Electric Bicycle.

Tulip started the bicycle, and got out of the house and into the roads that were still new to her. Today she decided to take a drive through the 17 miles’ drive. It was only 10 to 15 minutes away from Del Rey Oaks where their house was located.

Increasing her speed a little, Tulip started her journey for the day. She rode against the wind and the speed excited her. It gave her wing to slice through the cold air. It being a little early in the morning, the roads were deserted, which gave Tulip the freedom to increase her speed a little by paddling little more.

In a few minutes Tulip was at the Pacific Grove. She stopped for a second and started her ride once again, but this time it was slow because she wanted to enjoy the natural beauty that she was witnessing there on her ride.

The ocean water was endless. The trees she crossed on her way were tall enough to cover the whole pathway with their cool shade. Sky was changing color as the sun announced its arrival. Tulip stopped her bicycle when she reached the Fan Shell Beach; she parked her bicycle on the side of the pathway. She removed the helmet causing her hair blonde hairs to fall down her shoulder.

The undetermined shape of the rocks on the shore along with its rough surface was making it difficult for Tulip to balance on it. Her sports shoes were very helpful as she made her way toward the sea. When Tulip was satisfied with the view she was getting, she sat on one rock gazing at endless ocean blue water which was shining when the morning sunlight strike on it. From where she sat, she could feel the tiny drops of water that came her way when the waves of the oceans came crashing on the huge rock in front of her.

Tulip removed her jacket and sat it on her lap. Looking at the scenery in front of her, she wondered how everything changed so quickly. One month ago, she was planning how to spend her last year of school with her so-called friend, who didn’t even call her once in last three days. And here she was now sitting alone on one of the many beaches in California thinking how she’ll survive through the year. Her dada’s condition was only going to make it more difficult for her.

She knew she has responsibilities as the successor of William’s, a business for her to handle, the reason her dada wants her to be mature. For the last fifteen years she had lived under the disguise of Tulip Bennett. No one knew she actually was Tulip Rosabella William, granddaughter of the owner of Hue Blossoms, one of the largest producer of rose and other flowers in Columbia.

For the last ten years she has lived as a normal girl, one who has no responsibilities, who was carefree, not caring about the future, living in the present. But now she has to think about the future, she has to work hard to fulfill the duties she has toward her late parents.

“Why you have to leave, dad? You should have been here to teach me how to handle everything. Why I have to be alone in all this? Why you can’t be here, mom? I miss you so much. I feel so alone, so sad. It feels like there is only darkness. Dada is right in his place but it still hurt when he talks about how I have to be prepared for his death.” Tulip said looking at the sky hoping they will hear her, tear filled her eyes.

It wasn’t a regular occurring that she hoped they were alive because in the last 15 years she had become used to their absence but she missed them when she felt low, alone or when she had differences with her dada, though that was a rare occurrence because he understood her better than anyone else.

She sat there for a long while, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions she was feeling. When the sunlight started burning her skin, she got up and went to where her bicycle was standing. Tulip wore her jacket along with her helmet back and quickly speeded off from there, not bothering to tie her hair this time. In thirty minutes she was back in the house.

On entering the house, she saw her dada was sitting on the couch with some papers that looked like a legal document. He was so engrossed in reading them; he didn’t acknowledge her presence.

“Dada,” she called him.

“Oh, when did you come back?” He asked her, but got back to reading the papers after sparing her a dismissive glance. Tulip got the hint that he didn’t want to be disturbed.

“Just now, I’ll be in my room.” She said before going to her room. In her room she stripped and went to take a long bath.

Tulip slide into the bathtub and let the warm water take away the tiredness she was feeling in her limbs. She sat there for half an hour before wrapping the robe around her body and got out of the bathroom.

From her closet Tulip took out cotton shorts and a tank top. There was still some time for lunch as well. Dada has already told her that there will be a cook from today onwards so she can concentrate on her studies more, therefore she has nothing to do. To use the time Tulip started studying the book and prepared noted of the topic that was yet to be taught in the school. She was determined to give her best in studies and leave all the distractions behind her.

When the lunch was ready her dada called her, and she closed the book before going downstairs. There was hamburger and steak which was looking tasty only from the way they were placed on the plates. Not only it was looking but indeed it was tasty, the steak was cooked just like how Tulip liked it. Tulip thanked the cook and went back to her room after eating her lunch.

For the rest of the day she studied along with decorating her room a little, as she liked colors, but her room was simply mostly apart from the few photo frames. When she slept at night, she knew that tomorrow when she will wake up she will change for good. No, not for good, but for the best.

When the next day Tulip reached the school campus on her bicycle, she tried avoiding everyone and bounced to her locker. There also she took her book and walked to her class, not stopping for a minute to longer than necessary. Tulip was thankful that she found a vacant seat on the first bench itself.

After 15 minutes, Mr. Miller came and started teaching from where he left yesterday. Tulip attentively took notes. Unlike yesterday. The class went by pretty quickly but just as she was about to exit the class she turned around and the boy from yesterday was looking at her with narrow eyes.

Tulip just ignored it and went to the library for advance studies. Had it been the Tulip from day before yesterday she might have winked at him or even smiled an evil smile?

Her next two periods were free, so she went through some more books. When she was halfway through the chapter from one of the chemistry book, someone came and sat beside her. At first, she didn’t mind and continued her work, but that person snatched the book she was studying.

“What are you doing?” Tulip all but shouted, but lowered her voice later when she noticed where they were. She noticed it was that same boy who called her Miss Goody-two-shoes yesterday.

“Can’t you see I’m studying?” he said, pretending to so engrossed in the book. His answer annoyed Tulip more, but she tried controlling it, not wanting to cause a scene.

“I picked it first. You can take the other one,” she said, trying to take the book from him, but he placed the book out of her reach. Now if she wanted to reach for it, she had to lean over him and that was not something Tulip wanted to do.

“You can go take another book I like this one,” he said before going back to reading it. Tulip groaned before getting up to take another book. When Tulip was taking out another book from the bookshelf that boy came from behind her and again took the book she has placed her finger at.

“What do you want?” She asked, this time not even trying to hide her annoyance.

“I think I might need this one as I usually use two books while studying,” Tulip gritted her teeth but said nothing although she wanted to hit him with that book he was holding.

Instead Tulip smile the perfect fake smile and said “happy learning ...” she trailed off not knowing his name.

“Tyler Hudson,” he introduced himself with an arrogant smile.

“Happy learning, Mr. Hudson,” Tulip nodded at him, ignoring his extended his hand and turned to get out of the library before she does something that would ruin her plan to be a good girl.

Tulip went straight to the girl’s washroom and splashed some cold water on her face to calm her anger. She always had trouble to control her anger.

“You are not disappointing dada for that crazy ass of a person, Tulip. No, learn to control your anger.” she gave her a pep talk. She was thankful she was alone and not with some other girls.

When Tulip was sure that she had everything under control she went out and into the cafeteria as it was soon going to be lunch and she also doesn’t want to go back to library. She spotted Elizabeth there in the corner.

“Hi,” Tulip waved while holding her tray in her hand carefully. If she was going to sit, why not eat in the meantime?

“Oh, hi Tulip, come sit,” she gestured for her to take the seat, which Tulip gladly complied.

“So how were your classes today?” Elizabeth asked.

“Nothing special, just math is a bit tiring other than that all good,” Tulip replied as she started eating the burger that was on the menu for the lunch that day.

“And how are you settling in here? I mean the life in California,” she asked. Her questions made Tulip smiled. From the look on Elizabeth’s face, Tulip knew she was genuinely concerned for her, something her old friends weren’t.

“It’s a little different, the environment, but the sceneries here is beautiful.” Tulip stopped herself before she could mention that she went to 17 mile drive yesterday because that would reveal things she didn’t want anyone to know. Like she rides a bike for an instance.

“Why didn’t you come yesterday, I was looking for you?” She asked again.

“I was tired and desperately wanted to have some sleep so,” Tulip left the sentence unfinished for Elizabeth to guess. They sat there making small talk that included Elizabeth telling Tulip about the teacher who taught them. Tulip felt good talking to her, but it also made her realize Elizabeth was talkative, which made Tulip hold many things from telling her. She didn’t want anyone at Horizon to know about her rebellious self and if she tells Elizabeth, it might slip from her tongue one day.

The reputation thing was really important for Tulip and she would do anything to keep it the way she wanted, whether it be rebellious or a nerd.

The bell rang, and that was there in a queue to get going. Tulip and Elizabeth both went to the class together, as they shared the same class. The rest of the day went by peacefully but when it was time to go home Tulip’s peace got disturbed by none other than Mr. Tyler Hudson, who seems to be waiting for her near her bicycle.